She Was the Treasure All Along novel Chapter 506

"Because her parents stuck their noses into a secret they had no business knowing," Alicia said, her expression entirely devoid of emotion.

Leroy was horrified. "Whatever that secret was, it had nothing to do with Loyce! She was a child! A baby doesn't know anything!"

Alicia let out a dry, mocking laugh, her eyes freezing over. "Son, haven't you ever heard the saying about leaving loose ends? Loyce is the perfect example. I showed her a fraction of mercy, and the result is that I invited a wolf into our home."

Leroy was speechless.

"So, what's it going to be?" Alicia asked coldly. "Are you going to sit back and wait for our family to be stripped of everything and humiliated in front of the world? Or are you going to trust your mother and treat Loyce and Lucian as your mortal enemies?"

...

Upon returning to Metropia, Lucian was invited to a social gathering by his brother, Channing. Channing, eager to show off his girlfriend Luna, had extended an invitation to attend an exclusive luxury auction. Because Lucian had been unavailable, the message had been relayed through Robert.

Lucian usually had zero interest in these kinds of ostentatious events, but Robert managed to spin it in exactly the right direction. "Are you going so you can pick out a gift for Ms. Lonsdale's homecoming banquet?"

"I already gave her a gift," Lucian replied flatly.

He had offered her all his assets. And a custom gown.

She had ruthlessly rejected the assets.

Remembering that particular rejection, Robert quickly pivoted. "Well, I just saw that the high-end boutiques in the city are packed. All the wealthy young heirs who got an invitation are frantically buying up jewelry to present to her as a 'first meeting' gift."

Lucian's eyes narrowed, his tone dropping to a dangerous register. "Young heirs?"

Robert nodded earnestly. "Yeah, didn't you know?"

"What did you ask me a minute ago? Repeat it," Lucian demanded, his face perfectly blank.

Though thoroughly confused, Robert obediently repeated himself. "Are you going to the auction to pick out a homecoming gift for Ms. Lonsdale?"

Lucian stood up and grabbed his suit jacket from the back of his chair. "Bring the car around."

Robert blinked. "Huh?"

Lucian shot him a withering look. "Are you deaf?"

"Oh! Right! On it!"

Realizing what had just happened, Robert sprinted downstairs to get the car, muttering under his breath.

"I just... forgot his new number," Channing lied, trying to maintain his composure.

Luna was equally embarrassed. She had hidden her identity to follow her boyfriend to Harmony Country, and it certainly wasn't to be mocked by local socialites.

Behind them, a gaudy, new-money businessman lost his patience. "If you booked standard, go sit in standard! Stop blocking the line. Don't play the big shot for your pretty girlfriend and harass the staff when you obviously don't have the cash."

Channing's face went rigid. The group was seconds away from a screaming match.

Feeling completely humiliated, Luna crossed her arms and switched to French. "I only ever sit in VIP. Channing, this is incredibly embarrassing."

Knowing perfectly well how high-maintenance Luna was, Channing swallowed his pride and called his mother, begging her to fix it.

Joanna, who spoiled her youngest son rotten, immediately dialed Lucian. He picked up quickly.

"Hello?" his deep voice resonated.

"Lucian, sweetie, are you on your way to the auction?" Joanna asked in her sweetest tone.

"Yes."